Husband of Gabrielle Giffords draws criticism for gun purchase

Phoenix, Arizona – The husband of politician and shooting victim Gabrielle Giffords has sparked controversy over the purchase of an assault rifle in Arizona. As reported by Reuters, Giffords’ husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, says the purchase was meant to illustrate the need for gun control.

Kelly is quoted as writing in a post on his Facebook account, “Scary to think of people buying guns like these without a background check at a gun show or the Internet…We really need to close the gun show and private seller loop hole.”

Several gun rights supporters referred to Kelly’s purchase as hypocritical, expressing criticism on social networks like Facebook.

Giffords and Kelly founded a lobbying group this year aimed at reducing gun violence.